Police Cadets

Our Hartford Police Cadets wear distinctive powder blue uniforms and serve the community, just like our police officers. 

Prior to joining the Hartford Police family, they must go through the hiring process similar to that of a police officer. Then cadets attend a scaled down version of the police academy for six weeks, which includes physical training. Once they complete their academic police training courses, our cadets assist police officers and civilian personnel in the performance of a wide variety of police functions. Their duties vary from routine to difficult, including driving police vehicles on a non-emergency basis, directing traffic at schools, and other intersections and even assisting in investigations. Cadets rotate to different divisions throughout the department and are able to experience a day in the life of an officer or detective.

Our cadets can begin their career in policing as early as the age of 18. Once they reach the age of 21, they are eligible to apply for the position of police officer.  The time they served as a cadet counts towards their total time on the job, if they choose to become police officers. Cadets are able to stay in the position of cadet until the age of 24.  

 If you are interested in becoming a police cadet, please reach out to our recruitment division at JoinHPD@hartford.gov.